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Behcets Syndrome
Is there any other way of diagnosing Behcets syndrome other than a clinical diagnosis? Is there an objective test? My rheumatologist says it doesn't matter because the treatment plan would remain the same, Imuran, and I'm satisfied with the results of Imuran, but need I really go through life wondering and including in both my and my children's medical histories CLINICAL diagnosis of Behcets??
Hey courtreporterforlife.
Welcome to the forum.
There seems to be no strict diagnostic guidelines
for Behçet's Disease, thus if the international study group
dx guidelines (clinical criteria and pathergy test as mentioned by redstar)
are followed or not, the fact remains that there are no
fool-proof pathological tests for Behçet's Disease dx.
As I was researching ENBREL- an anti TNF drug also used to treat Behçet's Disease- to come-up with natural alternatives, I indirectly arrived at some interesting observations. The idea of immuno-suppression to counter the ongoing abnormal effects of an immune reaction such as in
Behçet's Disease, then how about immuno-modulation instead?
There has been some interesting research in this area regarding
the low dose use of oral interferon alfa. Perhaps you should look into it, as from I understand there's no cure for Behçet's Disease, only symptom management as the best and only treatment option.
My opinion is that there's a lot more that can be done, unfortunately there's not enough research and scientific input, being a relatively rare
disease and therefore not enough funding.
My focus is mainly in the complimentary and alternative fields
of therapy, so if you wish to explore such areas,
you may post again here or pm me directly.
Blessings
Niko
Welcome to the forum.
There seems to be no strict diagnostic guidelines
for Behçet's Disease, thus if the international study group
dx guidelines (clinical criteria and pathergy test as mentioned by redstar)
are followed or not, the fact remains that there are no
fool-proof pathological tests for Behçet's Disease dx.
As I was researching ENBREL- an anti TNF drug also used to treat Behçet's Disease- to come-up with natural alternatives, I indirectly arrived at some interesting observations. The idea of immuno-suppression to counter the ongoing abnormal effects of an immune reaction such as in
Behçet's Disease, then how about immuno-modulation instead?
There has been some interesting research in this area regarding
the low dose use of oral interferon alfa. Perhaps you should look into it, as from I understand there's no cure for Behçet's Disease, only symptom management as the best and only treatment option.
My opinion is that there's a lot more that can be done, unfortunately there's not enough research and scientific input, being a relatively rare
disease and therefore not enough funding.
My focus is mainly in the complimentary and alternative fields
of therapy, so if you wish to explore such areas,
you may post again here or pm me directly.
Blessings
Niko
A skin test called a pathergy test is helpful in diagnosing Behçet's Disease although not 100% specific. Pathergy is the term used to describe hyper reactivity of the skin which occurs in response to minimal trauma. The forearm is pricked with a small, sterile needle. A small red bump or pustule at the site of needle insertion 1 to 2 days after the test is a positive test result. Although a positive pathergy test is helpful in the diagnosis of Behçet's disease, only a minority of Behçet's patients demonstrate this pathergy phenomenon.
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